6’10 ’27 Lincoln Cosby (444 Athletics)
It doesn’t take long to see why Cosby is such a highly regarded prospect. At 6-foot-10, he’s a walking mismatch. Cosby is an incredibly fluid athlete with an impressive skillset for his size/position. He handles the ball, creates well for himself and others off the bounce, and mixes it up as a scorer from all levels. Cosby is clearly at his best when attacking downhill, but is more than capable of knocking down jumpers from midrange or beyond the arc. He’s a switchable defender whose size, length, and instincts make him a real problem for opponents. Cosby is also a useful rebounder who can effortlessly grab boards and push the break in transition. Given his combination of intangibles, physical tools, and two-way versatility, it’s easy to see why he’s regarded as one of the top players in the country.
5’10 ’26 Ayden Johnson (Drifty Elite)
There were so many notable guards on display, and Johnson was arguably as impressive as anyone. He’s incredibly quick and shifty with the ability to produce from either backcourt spot. Johnson is a knockdown shooter with deep range, a crafty handle, and the ability to fill it up from distance or break down opponents off the bounce. He’s a capable playmaker with nice vision, pace, and toughness. Johnson mixes it up in various ways as a scorer while making his presence felt as a defender at the point of attack. His quickness and anticipation allow him to mirror opposing guards and force turnovers at a quality rate. Johnson should have a very productive senior season.
6’8 ’27 Trevor Manhertz (SuperFriendz)
Although this team had several standouts, it’s actually somewhat insane to see how much Manhertz has physically developed. His growth has definitely been noticeable over the last year or two, yet continues to stretch out. Now at 6-foot-8, Manhertz is a real problem for opponents and someone that should be a major priority for college programs. He’s an absolute sniper with smooth mechanics, deep range, and the size to largely disregard contesting defenders. Manhertz is automatic off the catch, but also shows the ability to consistently hit jumpers off the dribble or coming off movement. He attacks closeouts as needed and is capable of finishing or making the necessary pass. Manhertz also rebounds his position and utilizes his length to be disruptive defensively. His recruiting blow-up is going to happen sooner than later.
6’5 ’27 Geren Holmes (Maadwest Elite)
Similar to the last entry, Holmes is a prospect that continues to establish himself as one of the top prospects in North Carolina’s Class of 2027. He’s a strong, explosive wing with positional size, a quality frame, and the ability to consistently impact the game on both ends of the floor. Holmes is a reliable shot-maker with the necessary creation skills to get downhill and apply pressure at the rim. He’s comfortable with or without the ball in his hands, and knows how to find open seams as a cutter. Although it’s easy to be impressed with his expanding skillset, Holmes is also a reliable defender with the instincts and physical profile to shut down opponents. Add in his useful rebounding, and there’s so much to like.
6’7 ’27 James Minlend (Harrisburg Hornets)
It truly feels like Minlend seems to improve with each new viewing, and this was no different. Despite his team being somewhat overmatched in terms of talent, Minlend showed zero signs of backing down. He’s a versatile mismatch with the size, skill, and athleticism to overwhelm basically any type of opponent. Minlend is too big to be guarded by most perimeter players and too fluid/skilled to be contained by bigger opponents. He handles the ball well for his size, which allows him to operate as a primary creator and generate clean looks off the bounce for himself and others. Minlend knocks down jumpers at a nice rate from midrange and beyond the arc. He rebounds well for his size and is comfortable toggling across multiple positions defensively. Minlend feels like he’s only going to continue on his upward trajectory.